Automotive Technology Pioneers

We are an automotive technology firm with over 100 talented people globally. Our fresh approach is the catalyst for vehicle design revolution, and we license our technology to Tier 1 or OEM clients to give them control of their own manufacturing, supply chain and costs.

Our mission is to drive sustainable transport through innovation, and we are the imagination behind vehicles that travel further, perform better and use fewer components.

Born out of a business focused on motor development for over five decades, we were founded in 2008 to focus on our first product, the ProteanDrive in-wheel motor.

Today we are the in-wheel motor technology world leader. We have spent ten years and over 1 million hours developing our technology. So far we’ve travelled over 1 million kilometres on our quest – more than 675,000 of those beyond the laboratory in 31 different types of vehicle.

Built on a track record of innovation, we’ve come a long way to help create the clean vehicles of tomorrow. With over 130 patents, numerous inventions and more great ideas, this is only the start of our journey.

A Business Built On Innovation

From inception, our aim has been to create an in-wheel motor with integrated power electronics and digital control, that can be packaged with a brake as a single product. Believing that this was the very best motor solution, we created a working environment with the freedom to express ideas and develop new technologies.

Today our original approach remains true. All of our ideas are forged around a cycle of continuous development, testing and improvement. Our current technologies encompass the motor, inverter design, and the use of in-wheel motors. To date our development process has produced over 130 patents and multiple invention families with many more planned for the future.

2008

Protean Founded

1st Generation Motor

2009

Demonstrate 1st ever Ford F-150 EV using Pd18

2nd Generation Motor (800 Nm)

2010

GAC shows Pd18 EV at Guangzhou International motor show
1st Friction Brake designed to package in motor

2011

Brabus shows Pd18 EV and Hybrid at Frankfurt International Autoshow

2012

Technology Pioneer Award, World Economic Forum

3rd Generation Motor (1,000 Nm)

2013

25th Patent Awarded

2015

50th Patent Awarded

4th Generation Motor (1,250 Nm)

2016

First Customer Durability Tests Finished

2017

100th Patent Awarded

BAIC and VIE show Pd18 EV and Hybrid at Auto Shanghai

Tianjin Pilot Production Launched

2019

First major fleet hybrid programme

2020

First major vehicle programme

Be The Future Of Sustainable Transport

We believe that freedom of ideas, integrity of response, desire to improve, and collaborative thinking drive innovation. Joining Protean means working with talented experts across the organisation who value your ideas, empower you to make a difference, and encourage you to challenge yourself and others.

Working with us is your opportunity to become an expert in your field and to join us in setting world class standards in design and production quality.

Diversity and inclusion is fundamental to our approach. Our team is diverse but we all share a common belief in driving sustainable transport through innovation.

We are always interested in connecting with world-class talent. We offer unique opportunities for the right people to be at the very forefront of electric vehicle technology.